Trump Says “Roll Credits” on the Global Film Industry – But You’re Stuck Paying the Ticket

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Film Industry Tariff — Trump Says “Roll Credits” on the Global Film Industry

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So you’ve just grabbed your popcorn, you’re excited to see the latest action-packed blockbuster that was filmed in New Zealand, Canada, or London… and bam!—Donald Trump crashes the scene like a bad movie villain.

He recently announced that he wants to slap a 100% tariff (yeah, double the cost!) on any movie made outside the U.S. His reason? He says the film industry in America is “dying a fast death.” Sounds dramatic, right?

But wait—it gets weirder.

What’s a Tariff and Why Should You Care?

Okay, here’s the deal: a tariff is like a giant tax. Imagine if your favorite snack suddenly cost twice as much because it came from Canada. That’s what Trump wants to do to foreign-made movies. If a film was shot in the UK or Australia—even if an American company helped make it—he wants to tax it like it was smuggled in through a secret popcorn tunnel.

And who ends up paying for it?

You do. The movie studios aren’t going to take that hit quietly. They’ll raise ticket prices, which means your $12 movie date could suddenly cost $20. And let’s be real: it’s already hard enough to afford snacks at the theater. Nobody wants to take out a loan just to see Spider-Man 14: Still Swingin’.

The Film Industry Isn’t Dying—It’s Just Traveling

Here’s the thing: American movies get made everywhere. Not because we hate the U.S., but because other countries offer amazing locations, tax breaks, and cheaper costs.

London? Great for period dramas and rainy fight scenes.
New Zealand? Perfect for fantasy lands and giant eagles.
Canada? Looks like the U.S., but with better manners.

In fact, big movies like Wicked, The Fall Guy, and Mission: Impossible were all shot outside the U.S. And why not? Other countries roll out the red carpet for filmmakers. They say, “Come shoot here! We’ve got tax perks and free donuts!”

Hollywood Is a Global Team Sport

Let’s not forget—the U.S. film industry makes most of its money from other countries. Last year, it made over $22 billion from exports. That’s more than we get from some tech and health services!

So if Trump starts taxing foreign films, guess what other countries might do? Tax us right back. Then Hollywood loses out on foreign money, and suddenly your favorite superhero movies have to shoot on the backlot of a gas station.

Wait… How Do You Even Tax a Netflix Show?

That’s another problem. Trump didn’t explain how any of this would actually work. How do you even tariff a Netflix series filmed in England but streamed everywhere? You can’t slap a tax on pixels flying through the internet.

One expert said, “In what sense can you put a tariff on a Netflix show made in the UK and distributed worldwide over the internet?” Honestly, it’s like trying to tax a YouTube cat video that was filmed in Tokyo.

The Real Risk? Boring, Expensive Movies

You know those movies that look like they were filmed in a green-screen basement? The ones where “France” looks suspiciously like a parking garage in New Jersey?

Yeah—get ready for more of those.

If filmmakers can’t go abroad for epic mountain scenes or real-life castles, they’ll be stuck faking it. That globe-trotting spy movie? Now he’s just trotting around Atlanta. Nothing against Atlanta—it’s cool—but it’s not exactly the Swiss Alps.

Trump’s Real Problem? He Thinks Foreign Movies Are the Enemy

Here’s the spicy bit: Trump’s idea kind of suggests that foreign-made movies are bad for America. Like if a film wasn’t shot in Texas or Ohio, it’s somehow anti-American. That’s not just silly—it’s dangerous thinking.

Movies help us understand people around the world. You might never travel to Tokyo, but you can feel like you’ve been there through a great film. As the legendary film critic Roger Ebert once said, movies are empathy machines. They let us walk in someone else’s shoes—without getting blisters.

So when Trump calls these films “a threat,” it’s not just about dollars. It’s about dismissing creativity, diversity, and global friendship. Basically, he’s trying to cancel culture… but, like, literally.

So What Should We Do Instead?

If the goal is to bring more film production back to the U.S., here’s an idea: give better incentives!

California already offers big tax credits. Georgia is crushing it with shows and movies filmed in Atlanta. Tyler Perry has a studio bigger than Disneyland. You don’t need tariffs—you need smart planning.

Encourage filmmakers to stay, don’t punish them for exploring.

The Final Scene: Rewind the Rhetoric, Fast Forward the Facts

The film industry isn’t dying—it’s thriving globally. Sure, things change. More people stream movies. More productions film abroad. But that’s because the industry is adapting.

Tariffs? They’re not the answer. They’ll just raise costs, shrink creativity, and make everything feel like a boring rerun.

So next time you hear someone say, “Let’s tax foreign films to save American jobs,” just remember:
You can’t fix Hollywood with a sledgehammer and a slogan.

Sometimes, you need a good story, a great crew, and a passport.

About the Author
Audrey Bell-Kearney is a podcaster, author, and the founder of Good Morning Gwinnett. She loves great stories, global filmmaking, and extra butter on her popcorn.

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